Westfield Chamber Lantern Awards Recognize the Best of the Community
Writer / Steve Latour
Photography Provided
For the 39th time in the organization’s 42-year history, the Westfield Chamber of Commerce gathered community leaders,
residents and business owners, and recognized the community’s best and brightest.
The Westfield Chamber Lantern Awards had been an annual tradition since 1982 until the pandemic interfered with the Westfield Chamber’s plans for a 2021 ceremony. “We have talented professionals and residents worthy of recognition,” says Westfield Chamber Chairman Steve Rupp. “It was time to bring our community’s tradition back and resume the Lantern Awards.”
The three-hour ceremony was held at the new Prairie Waters Event Center in Westfield. The event welcomed more than 150 guests, residents, and business and community leaders. Duke Energy served as the title sponsor for the fourth consecutive time.
The following is a list of award recipients and finalists acknowledged during the evening’s program. Names in bold are the award recipient among the finalists.
Community Volunteer Award of Distinction
- Barbara Haehner, Heart & Soul Free Clinic
- Carrie Larrison, Open Doors of Washington Township
Westfield Washington Schools Award of Distinction
- Ashley Knott, Westfield Education Foundation
Healthcare Awards of Distinction, Sponsored by Indiana Members Credit Union
- Erik Angelotti, Ella Community Pharmacy
Westfield Young Professionals Hall of Fame Induction
Westfield Young Professional of the Year
- Joshua Andrews, Westfield Washington Schools
- Kayla Arnold, City of Westfield
- Thea Snelly, The Zulu Group, Keller Williams Realty
- Matt Trnian, Grand Park Sports Campus
- Brian Tomamichel, Westfield Washington Schools
Westfield Citizen of the Year Award
- Lisa Brandenburg
- Shelly Brown
- Matthew Deck
- DeLayne Lefevre
- Gina Terril
Distinguished Service Award
- Diana Peyton
Nonprofit of the Year Award
- Humane Society for Hamilton County
- Open Doors of Washington Township
- Student Impact
New Partner of the Year
- STAR Financial Bank (Large Business Category)
- West Fork Whiskey Co. (Mid-Size Business Category)
- Nori Japanese Steakhouse (Small Business Category)
Board of Directors Business of the Year
Small Business Category
- Dean Ballenger Agency
- Hittle Floral Design
- Quack Daddy Donuts
Mid-Size Business Category
- Greek’s Pizzeria Westfield
- Meijer Westfield
- Sobczak Construction Services
Large Business Category
- Abbott Laboratories
- Community First Bank of Indiana
- Heartland Growers
While the Westfield Chamber has recognized an emerging leader or young professional for several years, this was the first year the Chamber inducted young professionals into a Hall of Fame. Each young professional was recognized for their contributions to Westfield and their profession. Among the five inductees, Kayla Arnold was chosen as the 2023 Young Professional of the Year.
The other individual award of note was this year’s recipient for Citizen of the Year, Gina Terril.
West Fork Whiskey Co., the mid-size business New Partner of the Year, established a new, tourism-based facility in Westfield in 2022.
The large business New Partner of the Year, STAR Financial Bank, is celebrating 80 years of serving the Indiana community – a
journey that started in 1943.
The Nonprofit of the Year, Open Doors, was able to expand on our mission of improving the quality of life for residents in the community, with the addition of the annex to the Open Doors facility.
Additional information about the Westfield Chamber Lantern Awards is available on the official Westfield Chamber website at westfieldchamberindy.com.
